Longtime supervisor says the small things, from sidewalks to signs, can truly change a community

By Cameron Woolsey

In the office of Frank Bigelow, no awards are on display featuring his name. There is only one plaque, and it bears the name of a Madera native who gave his life serving in Iraq.

The longtime Madera County Supervisor was proud to play a small role in getting a segment of Road 37 dedicated to Army Sgt. Raul Moncada, who was killed in 2009 when a roadside bomb destroyed his vehicle in Iraq.

“I put that plaque with great pride in my office,” he said. “It represents a comment that was made by the parents. They know that their son’s voice has not been silenced.”

For years, Bigelow, 57, said he has dedicated his time to making sure that the voices of Madera County are heard as he lobbied for policy changes that support the people of small local communities. However, he believes that he can do more...